Nr. Pistoia

Food and Drink
Widely recognised throughout Italy for its cuisine, Tuscan specialities rely on good basic staples, such as extra virgin olive oil, vine ripened tomatoes, beans, hams and fresh vegetables. For a light snack, be sure to try the bruschetta, with a mixture of olive, tomato or liver toppings, or the light summer dish of panzanella consisting of basil, tomatoes, and parsley and oil-soaked crusty bread. For a heartier meal, ribollita is a thick soup of beans, herbs and vegetables that can be found on most menus, whilst the bistecca alla fiorentina, a large grilled t-bone steak is a popular choice.
The sweet pecorino cheese and ricotta, made from sheep’s milk in the south of the region is often served after a meal with fruit, nuts or honey. For a real sweet treat, the Panforte from Siena is a dense, dark cake spiced with cloves and cinnamon, and is best at the end of a meal with a glass of vin santo dessert wine. As a major wine producing area in Italy, the region’s wines make ideal partners to the local food. Most famous for its red wines, namely, Chianti, Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino, there are also many good white wines here, such as the Vernaccia di San Gimignano, which are generally best drunk young.
Shopping
Locally produced food, such as home made pasta, panforte from Siena, grappa and wine make excellent gifts and are always well received back home. Weekly markets are held in many of the region’s towns and villages and provide a good opportunity to pick up some bargains.
Where To Stay

• Chianti & Southern Tuscany Famous for its vineyards and famous vintages, this region is a must for all food and drink lovers. The Chianti region sits in the landscape between Florence and Siena and its magical scenery is a pleasure to explore, with tiny hilltop towns, vineyards and olive groves making for miles of scenic driving country.
• The countryside of the southern Tuscan region, with its hotter, drier and sun-baked climate, is much more rugged and Mediterranean looking than any other part of Tuscany. The coastline is lined with little fishing villages and sandy beaches, and is well worth discovering.
• San Gimignano – A UNESCO World Heritage Site, San Gimignano is a stunning medieval, hilltop walled town, surrounded by the beautiful Tuscan countryside. For a small town, it is rich in art, history and culture and is famous for its medieval towers, which dominate the landscape.
• Siena - The beautiful town of Siena, with its rose coloured brick holds a wealth of cultural treasures, such as the magnificent Duomo and the gothic town hall with its 102m high medieval bell tower. Its main square is the spectacular shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, which is the location for the famous Palio medieval horse race which takes place twice each year during July and August.
• Montecatini - Italy’s most prestigious spa resort of the 19th century, Montecatini offers beautiful formal gardens and spectacular Art Nouveau spas where you can obtain a day pass to drink the waters and relax in the various rooms.
• Lucca is one of Northern Tuscany’s most attractive towns, with a splendid 15th century cathedral, ancient ramparts and many links to its Roman past, whilst Pistoia with its pretty historical centre and narrow alleyways is worth exploring.

Things To Do

• Take a tour of the villages of the Chianti Classico wine region, discovering the main villages such as Radda, Gaiole and Castellina in Chianti, looking out for vendita diretta (wine for sale) signs along the way.
• The beautifully preserved fortified town of Monterriggoni, with its traditional town square and a smattering of authentic restaurants and trattorias, is just one of the many hill towns of Tuscany just waiting to be discovered.
• The wonderful food of Tuscany is certainly one of the most enjoyable experiences of a holiday in this region, so why not take the time to learn a few secrets to take back home with a cookery class?
• Truffle Hunting in Tuscany. Join an expert tartufaio at San Miniato, between Pisa and Florence. The small town hosts a festival devoted to the gastronomically precious white truffle which is harvested in the area around the city.

Insider Tip
Be sure that the Chianti you drink sports the Black Cockerel label, on the bottle - the symbol of authenticity of the Chianti Classico.Celebration
Celebrate in style, enjoy a delicious meal in one of the award-winning or celebrity chef restaurants to be found in Tuscany.